Do you start with the art?
Yes and no is the answer here. Art should be given the important consideration it deserves, finding a place in the schematic that enables it to sing while also working alongside all the other elements that contribute to the overall success and atmosphere of the room in which it sits. I don’t believe that homes should look like art galleries no matter how important the pictures so do keep the place of art in the hierarchy of the decoration on an even keel.
How do you hang a gallery wall that you think will change over time?
Having the facility to easily move a gallery hang around as your collection grows and evolves is part of the fun of living with art and I would recommend using a hanging system consisting of a picture rail with the works suspended from chains. Scraggs has an excellent selection of the component parts.
Should you buy or not buy art based on the frame?
Changing the frame of a picture, be it an oil painting or work on paper, can be done relatively easily so definitely do not be deterred by an unsuitable frame if the work within it has captured your imagination.
What do you look for in selecting the right frame for a piece of art?
Finding the right frame is a process of trial and error and it's worth trying multiple options. The exercise of doing so usually results in that eureka moment when you know you have found the right thing! First and foremost focus on finding a framing arrangement that amplifies the work itself, then imagine the work and it’s frame as a unified work of art where there is a synergy between the two that is greater than the sum of the parts. Personally I like to use antique and vintage frames from dealers such as Lacy Gallery as these bring a personality of their own which isn’t so easily found in brand new frames.
Do you think decorating with prints and engravings is just as valid as decorating with original art? How do you do it well?
As the former head of the Print Department at Sotheby’s I am bound to say yes, and I do really believe it is just as valid to collect in this area. In fact it can be immensely rewarding as many important artists from Rembrandt to Grayson Perry have created graphic works as part of their artistic practice; while an original work might be out of reach for all but a few, their etchings and lithographs can often be quite affordable. I would suggest choosing a theme or school of artists where you can really immerse yourself in the subject and the connections between the artists and the works. There are excellent dealers who can guide you such as Julian Page and Lynsey Ingram. There are also dedicated auctions that take place in London and the country on a regular basis.
What are your rules on using a picture rail to hang pictures?
As with any hang I place the key works first and then fill in around them with smaller or lesser things. I often like to find a centre to anchor the overall composition of the works to be included. The beauty of a picture rail system is that you can experiment endlessly until you have got it just right.
Should frames match or be different? If different should are there limits to how different they should be?
In my view there should definitely be variation through the framing of a hang, the one exception being if you are hanging a set of say Hogarth engravings or a series of photographs, in which case I would use the same frames. Varying the frames in a hang encourages the eye to engage with the individual works and means that each piece is shown individually to its best advantage. That being said, I would keep in mind a broad theme where the scale and materiality of the frames you are using connect with each other, creating a refrain across the hang as a whole.
Do you use chains to hang art from a picture rail, or do you recommend something else?
I prefer to use chain but keeping in mind that the scale of the chain should speak to the scale of the work hanging from it. There are other systems, such as cables which can look good in a contemporary setting. Also rods, but in my experience they are too rigid to make a happy arrangement of multiple works hung together.
How do you incorporate contemporary art into a traditional space (or vice versa)?
I’m keen on using contemporary art in more traditional interiors as it can often be just the breath of fresh air these rooms need. It can also be visually very stimulating. I think paintings work well in this context but also consider sculpture. What works and what doesn’t of course depends on the detail of the decoration and the works themselves, but some quite surprising combinations have been pulled off successfully. I think this is particularly the case where a traditional work is hung in a contemporary interior where the juxtaposition can be very arresting.
What do you look for when buying art at auction or antique markets?
It’s often said and with good reason that you should buy what you love. Let your eye and your heart take you on the journey and the works you choose will pay you back every day.
